Tonight I re-learned an important lesson. Persistence pays off.
Last night I decided to do my rounds of the neighborhood homes that had sanctioned me to eliminate pest animals. Since the weather broke I’d been out a couple times but hadn’t really gotten back into my routine. I went over to the “Bruce land” and stalked behind the garage, carefully stepping so as to not give away my gravity increased position only to find nothing around. I then proceeded to the next logical place which was the southern end of “Bruce land” and the pine trees which had yielded two rabbits last season. As I rounded the house in my best stealth mode, I happened upon a hare between two pines. Unfortunately he saw me as I began to bring my 1322 up and he left the potential crime scene post haste. I lost him almost immediately as it was at the very edge of dusk and darkness was all around. I never even got the red dot on him but having felt it was no loss for trying, I left the environs of “Bruce land” and came home sans rabbit but with a remembrance of location.
This evening I again pre pumped my 1322 40 times (yes, my arm was tired..) and loaded a 16.1 grain Predator pellet. I again entered “Bruce land” and began my usual route and was surprised to find a silhouette oh so familiar to me at the very end of “Kerwinia” ( Kerwin’s house) I quickly realized that while it looked good sized even from my vantage point, it would likely be impossible to get to because of the light and the lack of cover to move forward. He was sitting pretty by a pine bush about 55 yards away. I decided to try the place I’d found a hare the night before but this time I was yet more cautious as I approached the edge of the house. I was low, very slow and ready in spades.
Lo’!!
There he was yet again! Sitting in the very spot I’d seen him the night before and happily munching on the new greens erupting for the call of spring. Realizing that this time he had not seen me I began to slow my breathing and grip the pistol properly. As I lifted it into position he looked up as if to say, “Wassat?” I put the red dot on his head knowing that If I did my part he’d be in rabbit heaven soon since this was a mere 20 yard shot. I squeezed the trigger…”Pop”, “Thud”, “Flop”. He dropped right there like a rock. I was elated but reloaded and pumped 20 times just in case. I slowly approached the fallen hare and as I stood over him his back leg moved twice. I could not see my shot at that point and for fear of his suffering I mafia’d him.
*** New lesson learned*** Don’t point blank a hare with a .22 Predator unless you’re ready for it….. “Pop”, “Fup!”, “Splat”, “Oh, $#!*” I felt very Reservoir Dogs after that.
Realizing it was a good size rabbit, I rolled it over and found out why it had dropped where it sat. I hit it in the spine behind the ears. He likely never felt much and was dead before I ever got to him. Leg movement was just electrical impulses left over. The shot went through and left a good size exit wound that I just couldn’t see from my spot standing over him. Sure wish I had seen it….ugh.
So, the 1322 Custom is officially blooded and I’ve bagged my first pest of the year. Woot!
